When planning a trip, your checklist probably includes booking flights, mapping out the perfect itinerary, packing, and maybe even prepping for all those vacation photos. But what about your home? Whether living alone or with family, your home becomes more vulnerable to intruders the moment you head out the door. You don’t want to go home from a great vacation only to find an empty house, right? That’s why it’s so important to think about home security while planning your getaway.
One of the ways to mitigate risks like this is to create an illusion of occupancy. But how can we make this possible? Thankfully, we now have smart products like Google Home smart shades that offer more than just convenience—they can actually boost your home’s security.
Take RYSE SmartShade, for example. It’s a retrofit solution that turns your regular shades into smart shades by easily upgrading your existing blinds. Just attach it, sync it with your virtual assistant, and voila—you can control your Google Home smart shades with simple voice commands on both Android devices and Apple devices. Additionally, pairing your Google Home smart shades with a Google Home device allows for streamlined automation and voice control.
Imagine this: you’re ready to dive into those crystal-clear waters or start your trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, and the last thing you want to worry about is your home. Just activate “Vacation Mode” in your Google Home and you can now enjoy the rest of your trip with nothing to bother your mind.
So, let’s explore why Google Home smart shades are your best bet for keeping your home secure while you’re off enjoying that well-deserved break.
Maintaining the Illusion of Occupancy
Think about it: your window automatically rolls up when the clock hits seven in the morning and rolls down when it is eight in the evening all while you are busy checking the best coffee shops near your hotel. Not only does this offer convenience but also makes it look like someone’s still home, deterring any would-be burglars.
Did you know that, according to the FBI, a break-in happens every 26 seconds in the United States? And most occur in homes without a security system. That’s immensely alarming!
But here’s where automated shades come in. Having Google Home smart shades that move around at both structured and random times can convince burglars that your house is under surveillance making it a less tempting target for thieves. This may seem a simple strategy but this is effective for your home security.
Pair your RYSE SmartShade with SmartBridge to be able to sync it with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit, along with multiple smart home devices. This additional accessory offers voice control and routine features. You can easily use voice commands when you’re at home, and when you’re on vacation, you can manage everything remotely through the RYSE app. A smart hub can connect and control these devices, enabling seamless automation and enhanced convenience.
Saving Energy While You're Away
With everything going on in the world—climate change, energy crises, you name it—making sustainable choices is more important than ever. The small choices we make have a bigger impact on creating a healthier and liveable planet. One easy way to pitch in is by adding Google Home Smart Shades to your home setup.
SmartShades alongside the use of smart home systems like Google Home create a perfect pair to ensure that energy in your home is being conserved while you are catching sunsets on the beach. By integrating connected devices, such as smart blinds and lighting products, your smart home system can work together seamlessly to optimize energy efficiency.
Here’s how it works: RYSE SmartShades can sync with your smart thermostat, like Google Nest, to help keep your home’s temperature in check. This allows partnership between the two as when Nest detects high temperature it can signal your Google Home smart shades to close, reducing the heat entering your windows.
And the cherry on top? You’ll likely see a drop in your utility bills, which means more money in your pocket for your next trip!
Peace of Mind Through Remote Monitoring
Have you ever gone out but your mind wandered to something else like “Have I locked the door?“ Did I close my windows right?” Those nagging thoughts can really pull you out of the moment, right?
With Google Home smart shades, you can put those worries to rest. It offers real-time monitoring and allows you to make necessary changes when unusual activity happens within the vicinity of your house. You can even manage your smart shades remotely through your phone, tablet, or with a remote control. This feature, coupled with the seamless integration with Google Home, makes it easier than ever to ensure that your home remains safe, efficient and well-managed during your absence.
Let’s be honest, it’s the kind of peace of mind that traditional blinds just can’t give you.
Connecting RYSE SmartShade with Google Home
Here is the step-by-step process of using the SmartShade along with Google Home:
Set Up the RYSE App with Google Home App
First things first, download the RYSE app from the App Store or Google Play Store. If you don’t have an account, just set one up. Once you're in, follow the simple steps to connect your RYSE SmartShades. Please note that the RYSE SmartBridge will be required to enable Google Home integration, so make sure a SmartBridge is included in your setup.
Add RYSE SmartShades to Google Home
Now, open your Google Home app and tap the “+” in the top left corner to add a new device. Select “Set up device” and choose “Works with Google” then search for RYSE. Log in to your RYSE account, and boom—your SmartBridge (and any SmartShades connected to it) are linked with Google Home.
Assign your SmartShades to Rooms
With everything connected, you can assign each shade to the right room in your house. This makes it super easy to control them with voice commands. You can even group shades, so you can adjust all the shades in a room at once.
Create Custom Routines
Go to the “Routines” section in your Google Home App and create your desired routine. It can be patterned to your lifestyle like what time you wake up or go to sleep.
Give It a Test Run
Finally, give it a try! Use voice commands with Google Assistant, like “Hey Google, open the shades halfway,” or “Hey Google, activate vacation mode,” to know if it will work well when you’re away on your next adventure.
Creating a Custom Vacation Mode with Google Home Smart Shades
To curate your desired routine while away, you may follow these steps:
Determine Your Routine Needs
Think about what you want your shades to do while you’re away. Do you want them to stick to your usual routine, or would you like to tweak things a bit for extra security? Either way, that’s possible with Google Home smart shades. Just assess how you want to maintain the illusion of occupancy throughout your stay away from home.
Set Up Morning and Evening Routines
Having a morning and evening routine for your Google Home smart shades creates the impression that someone’s home opens and closes the windows like usual. That’s why it is important that while you’re in vacation mode, your usual routine for smart blinds is still ongoing.
Add a Little Randomness for Extra Security
Burglars based their break-ins on the patterns in a home’s activity. Randomizing your routines through your Google Home smart shades makes it harder for them to predict the presence of humans inside. These slight variations are effective at keeping intruders at bay.
Integrate with Other Smart Devices
To enhance this feature even more, you can connect it with other smart home devices, including Google Home blinds, through the Google Home app. Imagine your shades closing just as the lights turn on—that’s enough to throw off anyone watching your home.
Test Your Routines Before You Leave
Of course! It is essential to test your routines before leaving the house. See if everything works as expected then make necessary adjustments to ensure the right operation. By doing this, you can leave your house peacefully without carrying doubts throughout your trip.
You’re Good to Go!
With Google Home smart shades, you’re ready for a worry-free vacation as they create an illusion of occupancy, conserve energy, and increase security. Brands like RYSE SmartShades help you with that! It does not just motorize your current blinds but also integrates window coverings into your smart home system, reducing the risk of making your house the next target of burglars.
So go ahead, book that trip! When you’re ready to activate vacation mode, just head over to helloryse.com and get everything set up.
